Sean Patrick Maloney Enters Race Against Hayworth

In what may shake up the race against Hudson Valley Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, attorney Sean Patrick Maloney announced he was entering the Democratic field yesterday afternoon. Mr. Maloney was also a candidate for Attorney General in 2006 and an aide to former Governor Eliot Spitzer.

“I am running for the United States Congress in 2012 against Tea Party favorite Nan Hayworth in the brand new NY-18 District,” he wrote to supporters. “You believed in me and helped me in my first race for public office several years ago, proving that we have the organizational and fundraising strength necessary to take up this fight – and win.”

This fact has not gone unnoticed by at least one of Mr. Maloney’s Democratic competitors. Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander’s campaign blasted out a statement yesterday taking the hammer to Mr. Maloney’s Manhattan residence.

“The district’s families don’t need another Manhattan Democrat propelled by ambition and money to fly into their district with a cape, with no knowledge of its people or the unique problems they face,” his campaign manager, TJ Helmstetter wrote.

“And frankly, a Wall Street Democrat will not be able to draw the necessary contrasts with Nan Hayworth to win. Matt Alexander is the right candidate to run and win in the 18th district,” he added.

However, Mr. Maloney and Mr. Alexander do not have the field to themselves. Cortlandt Councilman Dr. Rich Becker is another prominent candidate in the Democratic primary, which also contains Tuxedo Park Mayor Tom Wilson, Anne Jacobs Moultrie, a retired union leader, and Duane Jackson, a vendor who helped thwart a Times Square bomb threat.

The primary is June 26th.

View Mr. Maloney’s full email to supporters below:

Dear :

I am running for the United States Congress in 2012 against Tea Party favorite Nan Hayworth in the brand new NY-18 District. You believed in me and helped me in my first race for public office several years ago, proving that we have the organizational and fundraising strength necessary to take up this fight – and win. If you still believe in me, and you believe, like I do, that we must have new leadership in Congress, than I need your help again – and right away.

PLEASE CLICK HERE and you can help right now.

Why Run for Congress? I am running because there is an urgent need to take back our Congress from the Tea Party extremists like Hayworth who have turned government into a bitter game of ideological warfare; who can’t compromise or negotiate; who reject smart investments in education and infrastructure; who reject sensible tax policies that create jobs and balance budgets; who would end Medicare as we know it; and take us back decades to a world where women are denied access to contraception coverage, where the environment is under siege, and where LGBT people are second-class citizens. That is not the America we know and cherish.

In the face of this assault on our values, we cannot be silent or idle. We must find the courage to fight to set things right. The problems we face are made by people, and, working together, we can solve them. A truly great country is well within our grasp — where a thriving, diverse and prosperous middle class grows in strength by expanding opportunity, respecting one another, and meeting our responsibilities to our children. I believe the time has come for a new generation of progressive leaders to fight to rebuild our country, and that’s why I’m running for Congress.

How Can You Help? For the last few weeks, we have been quietly but aggressively preparing for the opportunity that has now come into focus. Specifically, we raised $225,000 (cash on hand), spent next to nothing, and lined up the State’s best political team. Our strategy was to be prepared to rocket off the starting line when the gun fired – and now it has. But we are just getting started, and I need your help. Here are 3 specific ways you can help us keep the momentum going so that we can win the June 26 primary and defeat Nan Hayworth:

• Help me raise another $200,000 this month to build our war chest, hire staff and get online — Donate here;

• Sign up to volunteer (starting next week!) to get my name on the ballot – Click here;

• Host an event to introduce me to your networks – Click here.

With your help, there is nothing we can’t do. Let’s win this race together!